From $70K Gambling Highs to Substance Use Struggles

In this episode of Recovery Matters, Brian shares his powerful journey from sports and college life to struggling with alcohol, cocaine, and compulsive gambling. He opens up about the chaos of addiction, the turning points that led him into treatment, and how community and recovery gave him a new life. Today, Brian works to support others in recovery, offering hope and connection for anyone struggling with addiction or gambling.00:00 – Introductions & basketball as an outlet01:22 – Childhood, family, and sports identity02:52 – First drink at 14 and finding belonging05:40 – College years, gambling, and substance use09:57 – “Getting away with it” and white privilege11:00 – Gambling wins, cocaine habit, and detox15:00 – Early treatment attempts and relapse18:26 – Darkest days in Brooklyn19:57 – Last bet and last drink22:45 – Surrender and finding real recovery25:20 – Building community through sober housing30:58 – Moving to Connecticut and collegiate recovery work33:44 – Life in recovery today35:02 – Advice for someone in their first 24 hours ----Across the Web----🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/1wGUMMO...🗣Recovery Matters Podcast TikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@recoverymatterspodcast?🗣Recovery Matters Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/recoverymatterspodcast/🗣CCAR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCAR4Recovery📸CCAR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccar4recovery🐦CCAR Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccar4recovery